Melanotan I vs Melanotan II
Comparison
Melanotan I and Melanotan II are two peptides people frequently compare. Melanotan I is a peptide people use to stimulate skin tanning without sun exposure. Research has also explored it for photoprotection and sexual dysfunction. Not FDA-approved; a related compound… Melanotan II is a peptide people use for sunless tanning and to enhance sexual function. It works by activating receptors that control skin pigmentation and arousal. Not FDA-approved; classified as…
| Melanotan I | Melanotan II | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Melanotan I is a peptide people use to stimulate skin tanning without sun exposure. Research has also explored it for photoprotection and sexual dysfunction. Not FDA-approved; a related compound… | Melanotan II is a peptide people use for sunless tanning and to enhance sexual function. It works by activating receptors that control skin pigmentation and arousal. Not FDA-approved; classified as… |
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| How it works | Research has also explored it for photoprotection and sexual dysfunction. Not FDA-approved; a related compound (afamelanotide) is approved in Europe for a rare sun-sensitivity disorder; regulatory… | It works by activating receptors that control skin pigmentation and arousal. Not FDA-approved; classified as an experimental unapproved drug; sold as a gray-market research compound with significant… |
| Common dose | 500 mcg, subcutaneous injection, daily | 0.25 mg, subcutaneous injection, daily |
| FDA status | Not stated in reviewed literature as currently FDA-approved under the name Melanotan I. Abstract 59 notes NDP-α-MSH as a peptide agonist, and Abstract 55 refers to NDP-MSH as a tool compound.… | Not approved by the FDA; classified as an unapproved experimental drug. Historically investigated in Phase I/II clinical trials for tanning and erectile dysfunction (PMID: 38285527, 49: 8637402, 45:… |
| Evidence level | Human RCT | Human RCT |
| Full Melanotan I page → | Full Melanotan II page → |